Background
Controversial remains despite several studies have discussed the role of bariatric surgery for ameliorating male’s sexual function. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of bariatric surgery in promoting male`s erectile function.
Methods
We performed a systematic review according to PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI and Clinical Trails.gov searching for eligible studies and conducted a meta-analysis to compare the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score or Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) score preoperatively and postoperatively.
Results
11 articles were included in this study. The meta-analysis showed bariatric surgery was associated with significantly improvement in the IIEF score (erectile function: MD = 5.33, 95% CI 4.12-6.54; intercourse satisfaction: MD = 2.57, 95% CI 1.19-3.94; orgasmic function: MD = 0.50, 95%CI 0.60-0.94; overall satisfaction: MD = 1.67, 95% CI 0.78-2.56; sexual desire: MD = 1.27, 95% CI 0.61- 1.93; total erectile function: MD = 7.21, 95% CI 4.33-10.10) and the BSFI score (erection: MD =2.53, 95% CI 2.39-2.67; ejaculation: MD = 1.40, 95% CI 1.28-1.51; desire: MD =1.40, 95% CI 1.32-1.49; problem assessment: MD = 2.20, 95% CI 2.06-2.34; sexual satisfaction: MD = 0.70, 95% CI 0.60-0.76).
Conclusions
To our knowledge, although the mechanism how Bariatric surgery helps improving male`s erectile function is not well interpreted yet, it`s supported by our results that bariatric surgery may be effective in sexual function promoting for obese individuals.